13
Oct
Cut to the Jase
Why Paul's Duke decision was a 'surprise' to NBL legend
Luke Paul of the Taipans drives to the basket under the pressure from William Hickey of the Hawks during the round four NBL match between Illawarra Hawks and Cairns Taipans at Wollongong Entertainment Centre, on October 11, 2026, in Wollongong, Australia. Photo: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images
Podcasts
Luke Paul's experience as an NBL Next Star will set him up for success at Duke University
- 'Potential NBA starter': Luke Paul commits to Duke
- Cadee: What Luke Paul becoming a Taipan shows me
- How Next Star Luke Paul has impressed NBL legend
Former Australian Boomers guard Jason Cadee admits NBL Next Star Luke Paul's decision to forego his second season with the Cairns Taipans to join Duke University "surprised" him but says it's the perfect environment to set himself up to be an NBA lottery pick.
Paul recently announced the decision to become a Blue Devil in the NCAA live on ESPN, alongside longtime NBA analyst Brian Windhorst at Courtside in Melbourne, despite signing on to play two years with the Taipans.
The move will see the 17-year-old point guard team up with other young stars, who will be part of Duke's program, to play under Jon Scheyer, just like fellow Aussie and current Cleveland Cavalier Tyrese Proctor.
"I don't want to say it shocked me, but I was a little bit surprised," Cadee said on the Triple Threat Tournaments Rising Stars segment on the Cut to the Jase podcast.
"I kind of initially thought, obviously I know Luke and I know his management and Daniel Moldovan and so on, so I kind of thought when they decide on the Next Star route, it was going to be the two-year plan.
"But when you look at what they've done and how it's popped up, it probably makes a lot of sense.
"He's only 17-years-old, this NBL Next Star year, he'll learn so much throughout this.
"Then when he goes to Duke he'll almost be ready-made for that environment to show that he's a top 15 pick.
"Going to a school like that, it automatically gives you attention."
Paul had his first taste of NBL action this past weekend after returning from an ankle injury as the Taipans went undefeated for the round.
The Western Australian product played 11.1 minutes in a win over the Brisbane Bullets, scoring his first NBL points and grabbing two steals, before playing 10.9 minutes in the victory over the Illawarra Hawks, scoring another two points and dishing out three assists.
Cadee also said comparisons to fellow Aussie Josh Giddey were going to be normal for Paul but believed the youngster's shooting form puts him in a better place to have immediate success on the big stage.
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